English traces its history to the arrival of Germanic tribes in the British Isles in the fifth century. This chapter tells the story of how the languages of these tribes evolved into the “English” we think of today. In exploring the early history of English, we find parallels with contemporary discussions of world Englishes. Wherever English is spoken—including within England—it has come under the influence of the lived realities of its speakers. English variation leads to tensions between English users, and debates about English in England foreshadow those in other parts of the world.